Recently someone asked me what I plan to do about running once the weather takes a turn for the worse. I answered honestly: I’ll make some adjustments (different routes, a slower pace, etc.) but for the most part I’ll keep at it as best I can. Maybe a few days on an indoor track or a treadmill, but for the most part I’ll bundle up and head out.
Anyway, it just so happens that tomorrow’s New York Times has an article on this very subject, and thanks to the magic of the internet you can read tomorrow’s news today! But first, the obligatory excerpt:
“Why do people work out more in San Diego than in Michigan?” asked James Pivarnik, an exercise physiologist at the Michigan State University. “Gee, I can’t imagine.”
HIS study of Michigan residents found that people expended 15 to 20 percent more calories a week exercising in the spring and summer than they did in the fall and winter.
Something similar seems to happen in Columbus, Ohio, said Janet Buckworth, an exercise physiologist at Ohio State University.
…
Dr. Buckworth said that, in her experience, it was the people who were new to exercise who gave up in bad weather.
“If you are beyond the point that you are learning how to exercise, you can’t imagine not running in bad weather,” she said. Her advice to people who want to keep exercising all year: find something you can do indoors, plan to exercise with a friend or do something — like update your playlist — that can make your workout more fun.
We can always hope for a mild winter (a positive side effect of climate change?) but sooner or later the weather’s going to catch up with us.
We're luck to have nice winters here in California. I can't wait for the rains to come!
That's true. It will turn nasty. I ran through the Texas summer this year, and I really didn't think I would make it at some points. So the winter is really, really nice to me! :-D It probably won't get too bad here in Texas either, though I'm worried about ice.
I find it a little diffecult to keep up with my fitness plan. All of my friends including my husband don't workout. (through my husband is trying) I don't have anyone in Ames, IA that I can workout with and I don't want to pay for a membership to a gym. Come to think about it I have 30 plus friends who don't work out. That's a shame.
Amy: That's really too bad. I guess the fact that I'm a loner when it comes to running can be a blessing of sorts.
I run with my dog Abbie. We rescued her from the pet adoption. She loves to run and never, ever complains. She motivates me to put in the miles.
I have you guys on DM and FB, but it would be nice to have a person to workout with. Its getting better. I just need to refocus and things will workout.